Lincoln is having a rough year, but at least its sales volume increased 0.63 percent in August 2013 compared to the same time last year. To spur sales of its luxury brand, parent company Ford is resorting to a stair-step incentive program in Washington and New York through September 30, says The Detroit News. According to the report, this type of of program is unpopular with dealerships because, as Don Chalmers, owner of Ford and Lincoln dealerships in New Mexico, says, "They're confusing to the

Lincoln is in serious need of some relevant products, and it looks like help is on the way. In addition to the MKC crossover, which we are almost certain to see in production form this auto show season, Ford's luxury arm is also working on the next-gen MKS sedan to go on sale in 2015 for the 2016 model year.

The Dodge Dart, Cadillac XTS and Lincoln MKS all failed to earn a "Recommended" rating from Consumer Reports. When it came to the compact Dart, the organization's testers thought the vehicle offered a quiet cabin, solid-feeling chassis and nimble suspension, but the new model ultimately fell short of the coveted rating due to powertrain issues. The institute's reviewers found the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to be underpowered and noted "drivability issues" when the available turbocharged